One thoughtful offering in this space is the Certificate in Psychedelic and Contemplative Therapies (CPACT), developed by Dr. Lani Roy and Melissa Warner at the Anam Cara Centre.
CPACT is a comprehensive training pathway for those drawn to work at the intersection of healing, altered states, and deep inner change.
A Broad and Grounded Approach
Rather than rushing toward clinical credentials, CPACT takes a broader view. This 12-month hybrid program integrates evidence-based psychedelic science with contemplative practices, Indigenous perspectives, and trauma-informed therapeutic skills. It’s not just about working with psychedelics—it’s about cultivating presence, humility, and the capacity to hold deep processes with care.
Contact drlaniroyanamcara@gmail.com for the course syllabus and application form. If you apply, mention your connection to Melbourne Breathwork to receive a 20% partner discount.
Program Structure and Electives
The structure is straightforward: 100 hours of core curriculum alongside 100 hours of elective training in related contemplative fields. Electives include yoga, herbalism, nature-based therapies, and intensive workshops in integration and breathwork.
One of the two weekend intensive retreats includes Holotropic Breathwork, offered by Melbourne Breathwork—an opportunity for students to experience expanded states of consciousness through breath alone, held in a safe and skillfully facilitated environment.
Who is it for?
The program welcomes a wide range of professionals—psychologists, psychotherapists, doctors, social workers, nurses, and allied health practitioners—as well as those with lived or professional experience in mental health support. CPACT is grounded in embodied learning, ethical practice, and relational safety, with a clear commitment to inclusivity. Scholarships are available for First Nations students, veterans, and individuals with experience in community-based healing work.
A Comprehensive Framework for Meaningful Change
CPACT doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, nor does it offer a shortcut to clinical practice. What it does offer is a comprehensive and well-considered framework for those genuinely drawn to the layered, ongoing work of psychedelic support. Importantly, the program recognises the role of altered states—not just in psychedelic contexts, but also through breathwork, rites of passage, and other contemplative practices—as powerful catalysts for embodied trait change and deep transformation.
For those working within or alongside psychotherapy, spirituality, or somatic practice, CPACT offers a grounded and thoughtful invitation to keep learning, evolving, and walking alongside others in their healing journey.